"They're putting off physical exams, blood work, dentistry. I think across the board these are down," said John Higgins, a veterinarian on the upper East Side.

Eric Maddon, a Park Slope veterinarian, said his practice rarely euthanizes pets for financial reasons, and for those who can't pay for treatment, "We do our best to work with them and allow them to pay us at a later date."

For some owners, it still comes down to whether or not spending the money gives their beloved dogs or cats a chance to live.

East Village dog owner Stephanie Klempner, 33, said she decided to put her chow mix down last summer rather than fork over the $5,000 cost of chemotherapy.

"For that dog it was easier because she was old and there was no assurance that she would recover," Klempner said.

However, she recently paid $4,000 to treat her 4-year-old Wheaten terrier, Miles, for severe diarrhea - and if she gets stuck with another huge bill for Miles, she said, "I'll put it on my credit card and figure it out later."